The first amendment of the United States constitution provides that all U.S. citizens have the right to freedom of press. In the Republic of Singapore, however, the opposite is almost true. Singapore is regarded as "the latest example of a government trying to staunch the increasing flow of information suddenly available to citizens. It’s a worldwide issue, particularly for rulers in historically closed societies." (The Economist).
Constitutional Rights in Singapore
The Republic of Singapore's constitution became effective on December 22, 1965. (Singapore Constitution) It guarantees rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Article 14 of Singapore's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Despite this, there are still restrictions on these rights, such as the Defamation Act, which is “perhaps the most onerous”(Ang, 1998). Under this Act, it is not just the author of an article, or the editor, that can be sued, printers and news vendors, can be sued as well. Articles in Singapore's penal law also allow law enforcement authorities to block circulation of news that they think incites violence or racial and religious tensions or anything that they think threatens public order, national security or national interests.
Singapore's constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression is also sometimes changed when there are elections taking place. "Blogs, podcasts, and social networking sites were permitted to be used for internet election advertising as long as they did not contain recorded messages that were “dramatized” or “out of context”...." Most press restrictions in Singapore are online restrictions instead of newspaper restrictions. "Singapore’s increased restrictions on news websites and other critical speech underscored the downward trend in free expression rights in the city-state."
Examples of Extreme Censorship
Singapore is currently ranked 149th out of 179 countries in the 2013 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. (Reporters Without Borders) One group, Reporters Without Borders, reported in a recent report that it was "appalled to learn that Singapore’s leading news websites will have to apply to the city-state’s Media Development Authority (MDA) for a publishing license." (Government News). According to the MDA, which regulates the media in Singapore, starting June 1 of 2013, news websites with an IP address and more than 50,000 visitors each month had to obtain a license to continue operating." (Government News).
Under the new rules, news websites posting more than one article a week on Singapore and those with more than 50,000 unique visitors a month over a period of two months must have a license with “a performance bond” of 50,000 Singaporean dollars (39,500 US dollars). Sites are considered “news websites” if they post political, social or economic content, or any other content about Singapore, in any language and regardless of whether or not they charge for content. (MDA Report) The fact that news websites must pay fees is a problem because it discourages news outlets from sharing information if there is a cost associated with this. It is also a method of censorship and discrimination since smaller news outlets will not be able to afford to publish as much news as larger news sites with more resources.
Singapore's Current Situation
According to an online report published by the Freedom House, an independent watch group on press freedom in countries around the world, Singapore received a score of 67 out of 100 for its Press Freedom Score in 2013. (Freedom House) According to the report "the media environment in Singapore remained unchanged ..., with few developments in the areas of freedom of the press or expression that attracted international attention. Social media sites and other internet-based sources of news continued to grow but also drew scrutiny from government authorities, with several bloggers forced to retract postings and one jailed for inciting violence."
Pollution levels recently took a sharp decrease after an all-time record high because of plantation fires in Indonesia. After the initial incident, people started to venture outside again, but with masks covering their mouths and noses. Officials warned that the smoke could reappear, and that the effects could possibly linger for months. Medical experts are worried about how this could affect the health of patients (CNN).
International Code of Practice for the Safe Conduct of Journalism
Singapore has a code of ethics that journalists have to adhere to, such as being honest while presenting the news and taking care not to bring dishonor to themselves or others through their work. This aspect of the code has caused some issues, however, such as the many lawsuits that have occurred. Certain individuals, such as Parliament members, become insulted by what is written about them in the press. The code does not mention much about the protection and health of journalists, placing most of the responsibilities on the journalists on themselves, unlike the International Code.
For example, the International Code states "respect for the truth and the citizen's right to object and reliable information is an obligation of all media and journalists," meaning that the main goal of most journalists is to report the truth, and that this should be a right provided to journalists. However, British author Alan Shadrake was sentenced to six weeks in prison and fined 20,000 Singapore dollars for "scandalizing the court" by criticizing the use of the death penalty in his book. This event shows that journalists are not provided the opportunity to fully spread their opinions and the news (CPJ).
JournalismHeroes
In one interesting example of journalists who are heroes in Singapore, The Nayang Technological University refused a permanent position to Professor Cherian George, a former journalist who has been outspoken about Singapore's politics and journalism for the second time. Professor George has "regularly published critiques of the local media and the ruling People's Action Party. He has also penned books describing the Singapore government's strong influence over the local media..." (Wall Street Journal.) After two attempts at tenure, Professor George will not have another opportunity to apply again, but may appeal the decision.
His students have protested against this decision, arguing that the denial of tenure has no real basis and that the professor deserves the job. A petition, circulating throughout his students, received 800 signatures.
Sources:
Colombia: Codes of Ethics from around the World. Colombia University, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://www.columbia.edu/itc/journalism/j6075/edit/ codes.html>. Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2013/03/01/ singapore-professor-denied-tenure-sparks-academic-freedom-debate/>. CNN, Brian Walker. "Singapore gets some relief from haze of choking fumes." CNN. N.p., 23 June 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/ 2013/06/23/world/asia/singapore-haze/>.
"Government subjects news websites to licensing requirement." Reporters Without Borders. Media Development Center Singapore, 30 May 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://en.rsf.org/singapore-government-subjects-news-websites-30-05-2013,44689.html>. Reporters Without Borders is an independent watchdog and publisher of press freedom indexes for countries around the world.
Magpile, Jeremiah O. "Singapore’s Press Restrictions Creep onto the Internet." Singapore’s Press Restrictions Creep onto the Internet. cogitAsia, 18 June 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. <http://cogitasia.com/singapores-press-restrictions-creep-onto-the-internet/>. A senior researcher with the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at the Center for Strategic Research and International Studies protests the Singapore government's new internet licensing requirements in his blog.
Singapore
The first amendment of the United States constitution provides that all U.S. citizens have the right to freedom of press. In the Republic of Singapore, however, the opposite is almost true. Singapore is regarded as "the latest example of a government trying to staunch the increasing flow of information suddenly available to citizens. It’s a worldwide issue, particularly for rulers in historically closed societies." (The Economist).
Constitutional Rights in Singapore
The Republic of Singapore's constitution became effective on December 22, 1965. (Singapore Constitution) It guarantees rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Article 14 of Singapore's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. Despite this, there are still restrictions on these rights, such as the Defamation Act, which is “perhaps the most onerous” (Ang, 1998). Under this Act, it is not just the author of an article, or the editor, that can be sued, printers and news vendors, can be sued as well. Articles in Singapore's penal law also allow law enforcement authorities to block circulation of news that they think incites violence or racial and religious tensions or anything that they think threatens public order, national security or national interests.
Singapore's constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression is also sometimes changed when there are elections taking place. "Blogs, podcasts, and social networking sites were permitted to be used for internet election advertising as long as they did not contain recorded messages that were “dramatized” or “out of context”...." Most press restrictions in Singapore are online restrictions instead of newspaper restrictions. "Singapore’s increased restrictions on news websites and other critical speech underscored the downward trend in free expression rights in the city-state."
Examples of Extreme Censorship
Singapore is currently ranked 149th out of 179 countries in the 2013 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. (Reporters Without Borders) One group, Reporters Without Borders, reported in a recent report that it was "appalled to learn that Singapore’s leading news websites will have to apply to the city-state’s Media Development Authority (MDA) for a publishing license." (Government News). According to the MDA, which regulates the media in Singapore, starting June 1 of 2013, news websites with an IP address and more than 50,000 visitors each month had to obtain a license to continue operating." (Government News).
Under the new rules, news websites posting more than one article a week on Singapore and those with more than 50,000 unique visitors a month over a period of two months must have a license with “a performance bond” of 50,000 Singaporean dollars (39,500 US dollars). Sites are considered “news websites” if they post political, social or economic content, or any other content about Singapore, in any language and regardless of whether or not they charge for content. (MDA Report) The fact that news websites must pay fees is a problem because it discourages news outlets from sharing information if there is a cost associated with this. It is also a method of censorship and discrimination since smaller news outlets will not be able to afford to publish as much news as larger news sites with more resources.
Singapore's Current Situation
According to an online report published by the Freedom House, an independent watch group on press freedom in countries around the world, Singapore received a score of 67 out of 100 for its Press Freedom Score in 2013. (Freedom House) According to the report "the media environment in Singapore remained unchanged ..., with few developments in the areas of freedom of the press or expression that attracted international attention. Social media sites and other internet-based sources of news continued to grow but also drew scrutiny from government authorities, with several bloggers forced to retract postings and one jailed for inciting violence."
Pollution levels recently took a sharp decrease after an all-time record high because of plantation fires in Indonesia. After the initial incident, people started to venture outside again, but with masks covering their mouths and noses. Officials warned that the smoke could reappear, and that the effects could possibly linger for months. Medical experts are worried about how this could affect the health of patients (CNN).
International Code of Practice for the Safe Conduct of Journalism
Singapore has a code of ethics that journalists have to adhere to, such as being honest while presenting the news and taking care not to bring dishonor to themselves or others through their work. This aspect of the code has caused some issues, however, such as the many lawsuits that have occurred. Certain individuals, such as Parliament members, become insulted by what is written about them in the press. The code does not mention much about the protection and health of journalists, placing most of the responsibilities on the journalists on themselves, unlike the International Code.
For example, the International Code states "respect for the truth and the citizen's right to object and reliable information is an obligation of all media and journalists," meaning that the main goal of most journalists is to report the truth, and that this should be a right provided to journalists. However, British author Alan Shadrake was sentenced to six weeks in prison and fined 20,000 Singapore dollars for "scandalizing the court" by criticizing the use of the death penalty in his book. This event shows that journalists are not provided the opportunity to fully spread their opinions and the news (CPJ).
Journalism Heroes
In one interesting example of journalists who are heroes in Singapore, The Nayang Technological University refused a permanent position to Professor Cherian George, a former journalist who has been outspoken about Singapore's politics and journalism for the second time. Professor George has "regularly published critiques of the local media and the ruling People's Action Party. He has also penned books describing the Singapore government's strong influence over the local media..." (Wall Street Journal.) After two attempts at tenure, Professor George will not have another opportunity to apply again, but may appeal the decision.
His students have protested against this decision, arguing that the denial of tenure has no real basis and that the professor deserves the job. A petition, circulating throughout his students, received 800 signatures.
Sources:
Colombia: Codes of Ethics from around the World. Colombia University, n.d. Web.14 Oct. 2014. <http://www.columbia.edu/itc/journalism/j6075/edit/
codes.html>.
Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
<http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2013/03/01/
singapore-professor-denied-tenure-sparks-academic-freedom-debate/>.
CNN, Brian Walker. "Singapore gets some relief from haze of choking fumes."
CNN. N.p., 23 June 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. <http://www.cnn.com/
2013/06/23/world/asia/singapore-haze/>.
CPJ. Committee to Protect Journalists, 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.
<http://cpj.org/2010/11/
singapore-gives-jail-time-to-writer-critical-of-de.php>.
"Defamation Act Chapter 75." Singapore Statutes on Line. Singapore Attorney General, 28 Feb. 2014. Web. 30 Oct. 2014. <http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId%3A%22ceb1248f-55e5-4878-9dd9 f33c2c031bb9%22%20Status%3Ainforce%20Depth%3A0;rec=0>.
"Government subjects news websites to licensing requirement." Reporters Without Borders. Media Development Center Singapore, 30 May 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://en.rsf.org/singapore-government-subjects-news-websites-30-05-2013,44689.html>. Reporters Without Borders is an independent watchdog and publisher of press freedom indexes for countries around the world.
Magpile, Jeremiah O. "Singapore’s Press Restrictions Creep onto the Internet." Singapore’s Press Restrictions Creep onto the Internet. cogitAsia, 18 June 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. <http://cogitasia.com/singapores-press-restrictions-creep-onto-the-internet/>. A senior researcher with the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies at the Center for Strategic Research and International Studies protests the Singapore government's new internet licensing requirements in his blog.
"Singapore Freedom of the Press." Singapore Freedom of the Press. Freedom House, 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Oct. 2014. <http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-press/2013/singapore#.VFA-EOTD_IV>. This website is published by Freedom House, an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world. It provides an analysis of the media, legal, political, and economic environment of various countries and gives them score in comparison to other countries.
"U-turn on the long walk to freedom; the media in Southern Africa." The Economist 18 Dec. 2010: 92(US). General OneFile. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.Document URL
<http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA244590945&v=2.1&u=nysl_li_esuff&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w&asid=4c77acc032a5d3514dc5c431
Taylia and Camryn
NOTES FROM MR FISHON
UNDER CONSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION, YOU HAVE A QUOTE WITHOUT A CITATION, BE CAREFUL - THE QUOTE IS LONGER THAN YOUR WORDS.
CURRENT SITUATION - YOUR QUOTE IS LONGER THAN YOUR WORDS. REMEMBER, THE QUOTE SHOULD JUST SUPPORT YOUR WORDS!